Smart Marketing

Market research; If it works for Jon Bon Jovi, it'll work for your small business

Examples of market research that play an instrumental role in turning out successful products can be found everywhere—even in the music of Bon Jovi. Did you know that in 1986 Jon Bon Jovi and his band mates in Bon Jovi,  actually based his next album’s content on the opinions of New York and New Jersey teenagers? After playing them tapes of over 30 songs, the resulting album was Slippery When Wet, which sold over 9 million copies and shot to #1 that year.

Market research should be a key strategy for any business, no matter its size. In my first book The Marketing Toolkit for Growing Businesses, I spend a whole chapter covering the many ways a small business can pursue affordable marketing research. 

Color in Marketing; It Matters...

How do you feel when you walk into a pink room? What’s your first reaction when you see a red street sign? What’s your first thought when you see someone dressed entirely in black? Since early childhood, color has triggered in each of us a wide range of emotions, so much that we often take color for granted. Don’t. The success of your company’s identity program hinges on the proper use of color in marketing.

Often referred to as the "silent salesperson," color can attract a buyer’s eye, plant feelings in her heart and draw her in to your message. Over time the buyer will associate certain colors with your company, and will instantly recognize any communication of yours—as long as your company’s colors are used consistently.

Face it; good use of color in your marketing can sear your company’s identity into a buyer’s mind. Bad use will get you remembered for all the wrong reasons.

There's a whole chapter on Color in Marketing in my latest book Stand Out from the Crowd. I also cover Color in Marketing topics more in depth in my Marketing Tips and Tools e-newsletter